What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mechanical Design Engineer position at Adams?
Our Company
Adams Corp, formerly Adams Air and Hydraulics, is a Tampa-based industrial components distributor serving manufacturers across Florida and Alabama. We provide a wide range of automation and motion solutions, including valves, cylinders, hoses, electrical components, sensors, robotics, framing systems, and machine vision. We partner with leading manufacturers such as FANUC, IMI Bimba, IMI Norgren, PHD, MAC, SICK, QC Conveyors, Kollmorgen, Cognex, and Murr to deliver high-quality, reliable solutions. What sets us apart is our in-house engineering team, which works directly with customers to design, integrate, and support complete systems. While our team is lean, we are highly effective and hands-on, specializing in machine vision, inspection systems, data analysis, PLC programming, electrical panel design, motion control, pneumatics, robotics, and aluminum T-slot framing.
Position Overview
We are seeking a mechanical design engineer to support and execute custom industrial automation and robotic integration projects. This role is responsible for designing machine frames, pneumatic/hydraulic systems, and functional mechatronic assemblies. This position comes with a high level of responsibility and ownership of well-defined projects and subsystems from concept through build, sometimes requiring onsite installation.
This position plays a key role in expanding our engineering capacity by reducing dependency on senior resources for quoting, design, and execution. The ideal candidate is a practical, hands-on engineer who is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, making decisions, and delivering high-quality solutions with speed and efficiency. Projects are typically developed based on customer needs to solve manufacturing, assembly, inspection, or traceability challenges.
Key Responsibilities
- Design mechanical assemblies, machine frames, guarding, and automation structures using 80/20 systems.
- Develop 3D models and 2D drawings in SolidWorks.
- Execute the mechanical scope of defined automation projects and subsystems from concept through build.
- Contribute to quoting and proposal development with layouts and budgetary BOMs.
- Communicate directly with customers to clarify requirements and review concepts.
- Coordinate with vendors and internal teams.
- Support builds, debugging, and installation.
- Identify opportunities to improve designs and reduce mistakes.
- Contribute to internal knowledge sharing.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
- 3–5 years of mechanical design experience.
- Proficiency with SolidWorks.
- Experience with aluminum extrusion or machine-building methods.
- Ability to make practical design decisions balancing cost and performance.
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
- Hands-on experience with shop tools.
- Willingness to travel occasionally.
- All applicants must prepare a portfolio highlighting at least two prior engineering projects. Applicants without a portfolio will not be considered.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with automation or robotic systems.
- Exposure to vendor coordination and quoting.
- Familiarity with 3D printing.
- Experience in small, high-ownership teams.
- Project Management experience.
Work Environment
Full-time, on-site in Tampa, FL.
Compensation
$75,000 – $90,000 annually.
What Success Looks Like
Independently execute well-scoped projects or subsystems within 3–6 months.
Contribute to quoting and concept development.
Reduce load on senior engineers.
Deliver practical, buildable designs quickly.
Important Note on Role Scope
This role includes a mix of project types—from larger automation systems to fast-turnaround mechanical designs and modular subsystems using aluminum extrusion (80/20). Success requires a mindset that values speed, practicality, attention to detail, and execution across a wide range of applications.
Salary : $75,000 - $90,000